[The adrenocortical function of female hamadryas baboons under prolonged hypokinesia]

The paper is concerned with the results of a study of hormonal function of the adrenocortical system of female Papio hamadryas during 28-day clinicostatic hypokinesia which started at various phases of the menstrual cycle. A 2-phase response of the investigated system to prolonged hypokinesia was established. The activation of corticosteroid secretion on the 1st day of hypokinesia was changed further on by the inhibition of adrenocortical endocrine function. The intensity and duration of activation action of hypokinesia were markedly determined by the initial phase of the menstrual cycle: adrenocortical reactivity in the follicular phase was higher than in the luteal one. Differences in a degree of inhibition of some fractions of corticosteroids were established: an inhibitory effect of hypokinesia was more pronounced for the precursors of cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone. The type of circadian rhythms of corticosteroids and a response of the adrenocortical system to additional stress make it possible to associate a decrease in adrenocortical hormonal activity during prolonged hypokinesia with changes in the activity of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.